@kenk3
God, people like you make me sick. No, its not discriminatory to make non-disabled people pay for parking. It's an accommodation. Just like students with disabilities have more time to complete tests. I bet you can't stand seeing infants and toddlers ride the bus/train for free, huh?

Here's why people with mobility disabilities should be able to park free for 2-4 hours:

1. It takes people in wheelchairs, wearing artifical legs, or using crutches MUCH LONGER to negotiate the distance from parking space to store or office destination. Certainly, if parking is limited to one hour, some disabled people would have to turn around and start makint their way back to their vehicle to feed the meter as soon as entering their destination. It takes some people 15-20 minutes to make it from car to building.

2. It is often very painful, particularly for those wearing artificial legs, to walk. Similarly, I can imagine it might be exhausting for someone on crutches. Limited extended free parking saves them from having to make multiple PAINFUL trips back to the meter.

One more point: the WRC report indicates this is motivated by fraudulent use of handicapped parking placards. So crack down on THAT problem rather than penalize the disabled.

Here's how you can crack down. 1. Eliminate placards and require use of handicapped license plates--this will deter cheaters who now keep a placard in their glove compartment until ready to park because they know their neighbors will report them if they frudulently display HC plates all the time.

2. Use a handicapped parking place/permit illegally? LOSS OF DRIVING LICENSE for two years. End problem.

3. Doctors who certify HC parking eligibility without strictly limited medical reason should face a 60 day suspension of their medical license. Second offense: one year. Third offense: forfeiture of medical license. End problem.

4. Limit HC parking privileges/permits to the DRIVER of the car not a transport provider.

I am amazed at the ignorance and insensitivity displayed in this thread. Educate yourselves.

What about non-drivers like me? I use a placard, and make sure it's NOT displayed when I'm not with the driver. It's no easier for passengers to schlep long distances than for drivers to do so.

That said, I agree that abuse is endemic, and cracking down on "just here a minute" parkers (and disabled people who let a spouse or partner or random friend use the placard WITHOUT their presence should lose their placards).

What about non-drivers like me? I use a placard, and make sure it's NOT displayed when I'm not with the driver. It's no easier for passengers to schlep long distances than for drivers to do so.

That said, I agree that abuse is endemic, and cracking down on "just here a minute" parkers (and revoking permits of disabled people who let a spouse or partner or random friend use the placard WITHOUT their presence) is a more sane approach than requiring meter feeding by people not equipped to do so.

Amethyst, perhaps your non-disabled driver providing you transport can drop you off directly at your destination and then go find regular parking a block or two away....then go retieve the car when your event is completed.

The hang tag placards must go. Too much abuse by nondisabled drivers.

But expanded parking rights for the disabled with disabled license plates are in order.

Amethyst, perhaps your non-disabled driver providing you transport can drop you off directly at your destination and then go find regular parking a block or two away....then go retieve the car when your event is completed.

The hang tag placards must go. Too much abuse by nondisabled drivers.

But expanded parking rights for the disabled with disabled license plates are in order.